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A Meaningful Internship with the Singapore Prison Service
By Mr Eugene Ong
A MEANINGFUL INTERNSHIP WITH THE SINGAPORE PRISON SERVICE
From 6 to 17 January 2025, three Secondary 4 students from SJI: Ethan Seow( LE506), Nicodemus Lim( MN517), and Ian Douglas Robb( MN516), embarked on an eyeopening internship with the Singapore Prison Service( SPS) under the Work Experience Programme. What began as a glimpse into the organisation’ s motto of“ Rehab, Renew, Restart” quickly evolved into a powerful lesson in humanity, social responsibility, and second chances.
Working with SPS staff, known as“ Captains of Lives”, the boys were placed in two key departments: the Corporate Communication and Service Department( CCSD) and the Community Corrections Command( COMC). Through this placement, they gained a rare look into the operational and human aspects of Singapore’ s correctional system.
At SPS Headquarters, Ethan and Ian were attached to CCSD, where they provided feedback on youth-focused recruitment campaigns, brainstormed social media content, and even designed posters for an upcoming Mediacorp film about ex-convicts starting over through a hotpot restaurant. These creative tasks helped them understand how strategic communication can shape public perception and morale in an institution rooted in rehabilitation.
In the second week, their internship took them to Selarang Park Community Supervision Centre under COMC, where they witnessed the postrelease efforts to reintegrate ex-offenders into society. They observed how former inmates are equipped with employable skills like sewing and baking, and how difficult it can be to overcome societal barriers despite such efforts. Attending a confidential Family & Supervisee Briefing deepened their appreciation for the role of families and community support in successful reintegration.